The massive fire at Triumph's Hinkley factory is little short of a disaster for the British bike industry.

With boss Bruno Tagliaferri forecasting it could be as long as four months before the production line is up and running again, it could not have come at a worse time - spring being the big demand time in the showrooms.

But I'm sure OTW is not alone in believing that Bruno and his workforce will meet the challenge head on.

They have made Triumph a name that is respected again throughout the motorcycling world, keeping up the traditions of our once great motorcycle industry.

The bikes Triumph makes are marvellous and people want to buy them. This should not be a funeral pyre for the firm but an opportunity to, yet again, rise like the Phoenix from the ashes.